Bijl, partners in public relations

Paul Q van der Burg

I would actually like to be a culinary radio journalist, living in a pretty ‘rustico' in Italy, surrounded by vineyards with pleasant animals roaming about. That's a wonderful prospect. Will I ever be able to achieve it? Of course, you should always follow your dreams.

More importantly, however, you have to enjoy your life. I do that by going on holiday in my beloved Italy, where the people are so friendly, the food so delicious and the wine of a good quality! As far as I'm concerned, I edge closer to a move to the Italian province of Piemonte every year.

My culinary aspirations are mainly expressed in my enjoyment of delicious meals. Certainly at home, though I have to admit that I mainly like to enjoy food, not be the person cooking in the kitchen. There's no shame in that, because you shouldn't do the things you're not good at. Now and then, I go to a restaurant, such as The Fat Duck , where the food really is an experience, as you don't know what you are looking at and sometimes you don't know what you are tasting either. It's simply excellent!

You should also enjoy your work. I enjoyed working for the government for almost 25 years: briefing the press, acting as a spokesman, developing and implementing a communication strategy, positioning problems, setting up a department. I've mastered all aspects of the profession. Now it's time to experience the ‘other side'. I now work in a no-nonsense environment, surrounded only by professionals. In that respect, Bijl was not a strange choice. This agency has its own views and vision. It's both creative and energetic. Its staff simply get on with things, an idea I very much appreciate.

Nonetheless, I will hold onto my dream of becoming a radio journalist. After all, radio is such a great medium. A good radio documentary catches your ear and encourages you to create images in your mind. Enjoyment and fantasy become intertwined. It's a shame that good radio is rarely produced anymore!

My photos actually speak for themselves. Eating ice cream in Rome with Paloma, a culinary experience at The Fat Duck, and my precious cats, Forte and Chaos, which already miaow nicely in Italian.